Shropshire Mandarin class Chineasy Peasy

Lucy Luk has launched classes to teach Chinese in Newport.

She lived in China for eight years with her husband Chi Wai and her two children Penny, four, and one-year-old Oliver.

Mrs Luk, from Sandiford Crescent, has launched her Chineasy Peasy business only a few weeks after returning from China. She said: "I don't think there is anyone else offering these classes in the area and I have had a lot of interest from schools in them.

"My Chinese lessons are aimed at children aged three to 11 and I am already running classes at the Navy Club in Newport for three to five year-olds and at Edgmond School for years three, four, five and six.

"This is a new venture for me, but I taught English to Chinese children for eight years and am passionate about teaching children and languages.

"I believe a key element in teaching children is to do it in a fun and active way, through songs, games, crafts and more."

The 28-year-old said that giving children a second language was very personal to her due to her own children being bi-lingual, with her family embracing both English and Chinese culture. She said: "I speak English to my daughter in the morning and Mandarin in the afternoon, it helps children if there is some separation when they are learning each language.

"People think learning Chinese is difficult, but in many ways it is a lot more straightforward than learning a European language.

"For one thing there are no tenses, so you don't have to think about past, present and future and their effect on words."

• For further information visit www.chineasypeasy.co.uk, the Facebook page Chineasy Peasy or contact Lucy on 07507 166374.